DeRuyter ‘looks kids in eyes’ on sideline

COLLEGE STATION — Texas A&M defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter spent the first half of the season up in the press box, with his paperwork in front of him.

DeRuyter spent last Saturday’s 45-10 victory at Kansas on the sidelines, with his players in front of him.

“I just thought from where we were with our mentality, I wanted to be there (on the field),” DeRuyter said. “I wanted to look our kids in the eyes and make sure we’re playing with the kind of effort that I knew we would play with.

“I thought our kids came out and played hard – they didn’t always play smart – but they played hard.”

A&M coach Mike Sherman said after the game, that on the heels of a three-game losing streak, the Aggies needed to evaluate everything. Apparently that included where DeRuyter coaches during a game.

“I just felt like in talking to him, (he needed) to be able to talk to the kids and pull them back in when things aren’t going exactly as planned,” Sherman said. “I thought he did a good job of connecting with the players, and pulling everything back in.”

Expect to see DeRuyter back on the sidelines starting 2:30 p.m. Saturday, when the Aggies play host to Texas Tech.

Linebacker Mike Hodges said Monday that because DeRuyter’s calls didn’t have to be relayed, it helped the defense get ready for the opponent’s next play quicker.